The Ontario government is investing $360,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to two community projects in Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls. This investment will help diversify the tourism sector, boost economic growth and improve quality of life in Northwestern Ontario.
“Today’s investment will expand recreational opportunities for residents to keep active and healthy and will help support and sustain our northern tourism industry,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “Supporting local communities helps create jobs and keeps the North competitive.”
The Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls is receiving $180,000 to renovate the Nestor Falls Community Centre. Renovations include improving accessibility of the entrance and emergency exits, upgrading the washrooms, creating a larger space for community programs and relocating the fitness amenities. The project will also increase capacity and improve accessibility, allowing the recreation centre to host larger events.
“The Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls is grateful for the funding support of the Ontario government and NOHFC for these two projects,” said Mayor Norbert Dufesne, Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls. “We are pleased that our residents will be able to enjoy the enhancements to the community hall and that the space, which is vital to community gatherings, will be able to better meet their needs. We are also very excited that this funding will enable us to start construction on the highly anticipated bike trail network in Nestor Falls.”
The Township is also receiving another $180,000 for the first phase of its plan to build an improved network of bike trails. Phase one includes upgrading existing trails and building seven kilometers of new trails to create a multi-use network at Bass Lake Park with an emphasis on year-round mountain biking. The project will attract mountain bikers of all skill levels and enable the community to host biking clinics, trail development workshops and mountain bike races.
“We have such great trails in Nestor Falls and I’m really excited to see the expansion of our walking trails into multi-use trails, including biking,” said Holly Chant, Health Promoter, Northwestern Health Unit. “Biking has become very popular during the pandemic as it’s a safe activity you can do outside and keep your distance from others easily. The expansion of these trails will provide locals with another opportunity to use the trails, and travellers a chance to experience the real beauty of our trail system in such a peaceful setting. Whether folks choose to bike on their own or with family and friends, this will be a great addition to the community.”
The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $432 million in 4,025 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.4 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 6,200 jobs.
